Gary Valdez is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Focus Strategies, LLC. He founded the company in November 1999 after a 24-year banking career. Mr. Valdez began his banking career with Texas Commerce Bank in 1975. After 10 years, he joined Cattlemen's State Bank as President and CEO, helping to build the bank's assets from $2 million to $110 million in nine years. When Victoria Bank & Trust purchased Cattlemen's State Bank in 1995, Mr. Valdez was named Regional Director. He later served as Norwest/Wells Fargo's President and Managing Officer for the Austin market.

Mr. Valdez chairs the Board of Managers for Ascension Health Ventures, and serves as an Advisory Board member for Stewart Title Austin and Texas Capital Bank. Mr. Valdez also serves on the boards of St. Edward's University, Seton Healthcare Network, Styx Financial Services, LLC, Adorno Rogers Technology Inc., and is a member of the Austin Area Research Organization. He was a Board Member and past Chairman of KLRU-TV, the Chair of the Hill Country Conservancy and Leadership Austin and was a member of the 1985-1986 Leadership Austin Class. Last year, Mr. Valdez was recognized by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce as the 2004 "Austinite of the Year."

Mr. Valdez is a graduate and a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas Lutheran College (Bachelor of Business Administration) and St. Edward's University (Master of Business Administration).